Woven Into The History Of The World's Religions, Miracles Are More About Faith Than Fact. In 'The Book Of Miracles,' Newsweek's Kenneth L. Woodward Explains Why So Many People Believe The Unbelievable

A decade ago, at the age of 12, Bernadette McKenzie found that she could no longer stand upright, even after three operations. She suffered from a tethered spinal cord, a rare congenital condition causing constant pain. The nuns at her school in suburban Philadelphia began a series of prayers, seeking the intercession of their deceased founder, Mother Frances de Sales Aviat, whom they regard as a saint. On the fourth day, Bernadette herself knelt by her bed, telling God that if this was to be her life she would accept it. But she wanted to know--a sign. If she were to walk again, she pleaded, let her favorite song, "Forever Young," play next on the radio. It did. She immediately jumped up and ran downstairs to tell her family. Bernadette didn't even notice that her physical symptoms had disappeared, something her doctors say is medically inexplicable. Her recovery is currently being evaluated by the Vatican as a possible miracle.

Speakers from around the globe gathered at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC Aug. 7-9 to discuss Muslim issues at the 2nd International Islamic Unity Conference. Under the auspices of the Islamic Supreme Council of America and its founder, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, religious and political leaders alike gathered to address concerns facing the Islamic community and to condemn the oppression of Muslims worldwide.

In the opening session, Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) addressed the lack of understanding of Islam in the United States. As he criticized the “unfair, ignorant image [of Muslims] presented in the media,” McDermott urged audience members to contact their governmental representatives to express their concerns. He emphasized that the United States is neither a Christian nor Jewish nor Muslim nation, but rather a nation where people of all faiths can live together in religious freedom.